Be the Referee: Volleyball Unplayable Areas
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
November 14, 2023
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Volleyball Unplayable Areas - Listen
We’re on the volleyball court today when my teammate’s second touch sends the ball towards the bleachers, still on our side of the net. I take off running to attempt to hit it over and jump onto the first row of the stands in order to reach it. I am able to volley the ball over the net, and remarkably it falls to the floor untouched for a point. Or is it?
It is not. The bleachers are not a playable area in volleyball, so my hit wouldn’t count. It would actually be a point for the other team. Despite my best parkour efforts, it’s all for naught.
With player safety in mind, there are other unplayable areas in volleyball including the area behind the benches and the space between the benches and scorer’s table.
Before each match, the officials go over playable and unplayable areas with both coaches.
Previous Editions
Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen
Be the Referee: On the Line
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
January 10, 2023
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – On the Line - Listen
I’m on the line today … but am I in or out?
Have you ever stopped to think about how the boundary lines of a field or court mean different things in different sports?
In basketball for example, if the ball touches the baseline or sideline, it’s out of bounds. Same if a player is in possession of the ball and touches the line.
Football is the same. A player is out of bounds if that player has the ball and touches the sideline.
But in soccer? The ball is still in play until it completely passes the line. If the ball is sitting on the line, it’s still in play.
A tennis ball on the line? That’s in and a great shot.
Volleyball? Also in.
And then you have baseball and softball – where a batted ball that hits the foul line … is fair.
Know the lines and you’ll always know if you are in … or out.
Previous Editions:
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End Zone - Listen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change - Listen